Island’s Real Estate Community Comes Together

The capital campaign for Nantucket’s new hospital has received support from all corners of the island, including individuals, families, businesses, and our fellow non-profit organizations.
One major sector of Nantucket’s economy that stepped-up in a big way to support this historic initiative was the island’s real estate community.

In June 2016, former Nantucket Cottage Hospital Trustee and philanthropist Maureen Hackett issued a challenge to the island’s brokers, agents, and other members of the real estate sector. Hackett, who together with her family had already contributed a $6 million gift to the campaign, urged them to join her in supporting the effort. She emphasized that a new, first-class community hospital would not only benefit the health and wellbeing of Nantucket, but also directly impact the real estate industry as quality medical services are a major consideration for anyone interested in investing in a new home on the island.

“We all depend on this hospital. It is the safety net that takes care of us and makes life on this remote island possible,” Maureen Hackett said to the members of the real estate community who gathered during an event at The Dreamland Theater last June. “You are a key to our success, and this is an opportunity for you to give back. This island has given us all so much.”

Hackett upped the ante by committing to placing a full-page ad in The Inquirer and Mirror recognizing all the names and firms of the real estate community members who made a contribution to the capital campaign before the end of the summer.

“This is our hospital and I believe it’s paramount that we have a good facility here on the island for year-round residents, seasonal residents, and everyone who comes to Nantucket,” said Craig Hawkins, broker at the Maury People Sotheby’s International. “It’s our community’s hospital, and I feel strongly that everyone should contribute whatever they can.”

In just two short months following Hackett’s challenge, a total of 87 individuals representing 23 different island real estate firms contributed more than $150,000 to the campaign. And beyond the immediate impact of the gifts, the real estate community’s support demonstrated to other sectors of the island economy just how important the new hospital campaign is to everyone on Nantucket.

“Our island’s population has grown tremendously over the previous three decades and our needs, especially with health care have changed greatly,” said Bill Liddle, principal broker at Great Point Properties, who urged the members of his office to join him answering Hackett’s challenge and contributing to the campaign. “The new Cottage Hospital will meet the needs of our 21st century population and I want to be a part of this major endeavor.”